Horse Anatomy Good Handling Daily Contact- Whenever you approach a horse, keep in mind that he/she may be startled if they can't see you, so never approach a horse from behind. It's best to approach the shoulder. Put you hand out, palm up, so that he/she can sniff it. Then stroke the horse's neck and talk to him/her in a calm, reassuring voice. When you move around a horse, move quietly, without making any sudden movements. If you need to walk behind a horse, put a hand on his/her hindquarters so they know that you're there. Never walk too close to the back legs, because you might get kicked. It's important to show affection to you horse. Talk to him/her softly and scratch the horse's neck and withers. They love you telling them that you love them! Handling Bad Behavior- Bad behavior includes nipping, pawing, and pushing. You shouldn't let a horse get away with these things, as it can spoil him/her and make them difficult to ride. You should reprimand the horse by scolding in a firm voice, and if he/she ignores that then smack their shoulder or neck, NEVER his/her head. This can make them head-shy, when they're nervous of having their head touched. Catching a Horse in the Pasture- You need a halter with a lead rope attached to it to catch a horse. If the horse is difficult to catch, it can wear a halter in the pasture, but it must be leather so that it will break if it catches on something. Take a treat to offer the horse and approach him/her quietly. Hide the halter behind your back. When you're close enough, give the horse the treat and slip the lead rope over his neck, trying not to startle him/her. Slip on the noseband with one arm over the horse's neck. Bring the crownpiece over his/her poll and fasten the buckle. How to Lead a Horse Correctly- Hold the lead rope underneath his/her chin, leaving about 6 inches between your hand and where the lead rope clips to the halter. Cluck with you tongue and begin to walk alongside the horse, making him/her keep up with you. If the horse starts to pull, put your shoulder against theirs and pull back to slow down. Never walk ahead and try to pull the horse along, or let him/her walk behind you with a loose lead. Tying a Horse Up- They should never be tied directly to a wall or object because they need to be able to escape in an emergency. Tie a loop of string to where you tie your horse up, then tie the lead rope to the piece of string, which will break easily if a horse panics. {Horse info taken from The Usborne Complete Book of: Riding & Pony Care. By: Rosie Dickins and Gill Harvey. Scholastic, Inc.}

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